Respiratory circuit with in vivo sterilization
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A respiratory circuit junction, comprising:
- a) a tube port adapted to interface with a breathing tube;
b) a line port adapted to interface with a ventilator line;
c) a flow path extending between the tube and line ports;
d) a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end;
e) a catheter port connected to the flow path for receiving the catheter such that the catheter can be axially moved relative to the catheter port, said catheter port being aligned relative to the tube port such that the distal end of the catheter can be inserted into a breathing tube connected to the tube port;
f) a light source positioned to irradiate at least a portion of the catheter, said light source being capable of emitting ultraviolet radiation; and
g) an ultraviolet opaque portion operative to absorb ultraviolet radiation within the respiratory circuit junction to prevent a substantial portion of ultraviolet radiation from exiting the junction and striking a patient.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A respirator comprise a breathing tube, such as an endotracheal tube, having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending between the proximal and distal end. The lumen defines at least a portion of the respirator circuit. A ventilator tube is in fluid communication with the proximal end of the breathing tube end and defines a portion of the respirator circuit. One or more light sources capable of emitting ultraviolet radiation irradiates at least a portion of the respirator circuit, thereby sterilizing the respiratory circuit.
106 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A respiratory circuit junction, comprising:
-
a) a tube port adapted to interface with a breathing tube;
b) a line port adapted to interface with a ventilator line;
c) a flow path extending between the tube and line ports;
d) a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end;
e) a catheter port connected to the flow path for receiving the catheter such that the catheter can be axially moved relative to the catheter port, said catheter port being aligned relative to the tube port such that the distal end of the catheter can be inserted into a breathing tube connected to the tube port;
f) a light source positioned to irradiate at least a portion of the catheter, said light source being capable of emitting ultraviolet radiation; and
g) an ultraviolet opaque portion operative to absorb ultraviolet radiation within the respiratory circuit junction to prevent a substantial portion of ultraviolet radiation from exiting the junction and striking a patient. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. A method for in vivo sterilization of a respiratory circuit unction, comprising the steps of:
-
a) inserting a breathing tube in the trachea of a patient;
b) connecting a respiratory circuit junction to the breathing tube, said respiratory circuit junction having an inner surface defining a flow path and a catheter port with a catheter positioned therein;
c) irradiating at least a portion of the inner surface of the respiratory circuit junction with ultraviolet radiation to sterilize the inner surface while the respiratory circuit junction is connected to the breathing tube; and
d) absorbing the ultraviolet radiation to prevent a substantial portion of radiation from leaving the respiratory circuit junction and striking the patient. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
-
-
17. A respiratory circuit junction, comprising:
-
a) a tube port in fluid communication with a breathing tube;
b) a line port in fluid communication with a ventilator line;
c) a means for inserting and retracting a catheter into and out of the breathing tube;
d) a means for irradiating at least a portion of the catheter with ultraviolet radiation to sterilize the catheter while the breathing tube is connected to a patient; and
e) a means for absorbing the ultraviolet radiation to prevent a substantial portion of radiation from leaving the respiratory circuit junction and striking the patient. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
-
Specification